Last updated: May 2026
There Are a Few Good Resources to Help You Plan Your Trip
Planning a trip can be overwhelming, but the right mapping tools make it much easier. In our experience helping thousands of Australian travellers gear up for their adventures, two tools stand out above the rest for trip planning: Travellerspoint and Alpaca Maps. Here's how they compare and when to use each.
Once you've planned your route, make sure you're geared up for the journey. Read our top 10 travel gadgets guide for must-have tech, and our best digital accessories for travel guide for staying connected on the road. Don't forget a phone holder to keep your device accessible while you navigate.
1. Travellerspoint
Best for: Long-term trip planners, backpackers, and travellers who want to map out a multi-country itinerary in detail.
Travellerspoint is a community-driven travel planning platform that lets you build detailed trip itineraries, map your route visually, and connect with other travellers who've been to the same destinations. It's particularly strong for overland routes and multi-stop journeys.
Key features:
- Visual route mapping across multiple countries
- Community trip reports and destination guides
- Blog-style travel journals to document your trip
- Forum support from experienced travellers
Best suited to: Gap year travellers, long-haul backpackers, and anyone planning a trip with 5+ stops.
2. Alpaca Maps
Best for: Visual, collaborative trip planning with a clean, modern interface.
Alpaca Maps is a newer, more visually polished tool that lets you drag and drop destinations onto a map, build day-by-day itineraries, and share your plan with travel companions. It's intuitive and fast — ideal for shorter trips or travellers who want a clean overview without the complexity of a full travel community platform.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop itinerary building on an interactive map
- Day-by-day planning with time estimates between stops
- Shareable trip links for group travel planning
- Clean, minimal interface that's easy to learn
Best suited to: Weekend trips, family holidays, and group travel where collaboration is key.
Which Should You Use?
Use Travellerspoint if you're planning a long, complex journey with many stops and want community input. Use Alpaca Maps if you want a fast, visual way to map out a shorter trip or share your itinerary with others.
Both tools are free to use at a basic level, and both work well on desktop. For mobile navigation on the road, pair either tool with a reliable phone holder and a travel charger to keep your device powered throughout the day.
Gear Up for Your Trip
Once your route is planned, make sure your travel kit is ready. Here are some essentials to consider:
- Travel essentials — everything you need for a smooth departure
- Smartphone travel accessories — holders, chargers, and more
- Travel locks and portable safes — keep your gear secure on the road
- RFID-blocking wallets — protect your cards at busy tourist destinations
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